Michael Steven Ball

Michael Steven Ball, longtime resident of Trona, passed from this life on Aug. 21, 2013, in Trona. He was born in Northampton, Mass., on Oct. 23, 1951.

A potluck celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 3 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Trona. All family and friends are invited to join in celebrating his lifeMike attended Burroughs High School while his father worked for the Navy at China Lake, then graduated from Ramona High School in 1969 when the family moved to Riverside. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he was stationed in Long Beach and served as a tugboat diesel mechanic.

He retired from Searles Valley Minerals in 2008 after 29 years of service.

Mike is survived by his wife of 31 years, Michelle Ball; their four children and families, David Ball, Nathan Ball, Michael and Angela Ball, and Travis Ball; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild; three sisters, Claire, Donal, Denise; and one brother, Stephen. Mike was preceded in death by his father Herbert Ball and mother Phyllis Ball.